Home Hardening: How California's Densely Packed Communities Can Fight Fire from the Ground Up

Picture this: a wildfire is burning miles away, and the wind is strong. You assume your home is safe, but tiny embers are carried through the air, landing in nearby yards, rooftops, and rain gutters. In California, wildfires have become a recurring and an unfortunate fact of life. But the danger doesn't just exist in canyons, hillsides, and forestry land areas. Wildfire preparedness is now essential for protecting your home from wildfire risks, especially knowing that embers can ignite in seconds if they hit dry leaves, wood chips, or something flammable near your home. When conditions align, a wildfire burning miles away has the potential to enter our communities, which have become more densely packed over the years. But there is plenty you can do to help mitigate a disaster to your home, and it starts with “Zone 0”.

What is "Zone 0"?

According to CAL FIRE, Zone 0 refers to the first five feet around the structure of your home, which doesn't sound like much, but it's one of the most critical defensible spaces to protect your home from wildfires. This defensible space should be as fire-resistant as possible. That means keeping it free of anything flammable: dry plants, mulch, firewood stacks, wooden furniture, and even fences that connect directly to your home.

The good news is that hardening your home doesn't always mean you need to remodel your house. It starts with small but meaningful changes. Fire mitigation strategies and implementation form the first line of defense in protecting your home from fire threats. For instance, switching out bark for gravel, trimming back bushes, and moving furniture and free-standing items just a few feet farther from the walls can reduce the chances of your home catching fire and it is a great place to start. Our friends at CAL FIRE have a full list of tips to increase your home's chances of survival when wildfire strikes. Here are five to get you started:

Fire-Resistant Roofing & Chimney: Replace wood shake or untreated roofing with asphalt shingles, metal, clay, or tile. Cover your chimney and stove pipe outlets with a non-flammable screen.

Vents with Ember Screens: Install 1/8" metal mesh to prevent embers from entering attics or crawl spaces, but be sure to consult your local building official regarding ventilation requirements in your area.

Tempered Glass Windows: Explore fitting dual-pane, tempered glass windows that resist breakage from heat and flying debris, and limit the number of windows facing your yard to reduce heat exposure.

Non-Combustible Siding and Eaves: Use ignition-resistant materials, box in eaves, and seal all gaps where embers could enter.

Gutter Guards & Regular Maintenance: Clean leaves regularly, use non-combustible metal, and install guards to prevent ember buildup

In tightly packed neighborhoods, these improvements matter even more. When homes are close together, the chances of neighboring homes catching fire rise. For example, in 2018, the Camp Fire in Northern California, or more recently, the Eaton and Palisades Fires in the Los Angeles region this past January, entire communities burned, and thousands of individuals were displaced. But in every one of those disasters, there have also been stories of resilience: a home that didn't burn, the family that made it out safely, the neighbor who helped others evacuate. Often, those stories start with preparation, defensible space, and home hardening.

While the threat is real, so is the power to prepare. Following fire safe home tips and maintaining wildfire safety for homeowners is key to keeping communities safe, strong, and resilient.

You can't control where embers fly, but you can control the number of flammable materials near your home. Start by looking at your home, especially those first five feet in Zone 0. Talk to your neighbor, share resources, and learn more about the people who protect us when disaster strikes. Visit cafirefoundation.org to learn more.

California Fire FoundationApril 28, 2025